Tax-free weekend approaching

The Department of Revenue is reminding Tennesseans that the seventh annual Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 4.

During these three days, Tennessee shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on tax-free clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.

“I want to encourage Tennessee families to take advantage of the Sales Tax Holiday because it was created with them in mind,” Gov. Bill Haslam said. “The weekend provides savings for families, especially as students are starting the new school year, and the holiday can provide relief on clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.’

The holiday begins Friday, Aug. 2, at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, Aug. 4, at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item and computers with a price of $1,500 or less.

“As in years past, last year’s tax-free weekend was very successful, providing Tennessee taxpayers over $10 million in tax savings,” said Revenue Commissioner Richard H. Roberts. “We are hopeful that Tennessee shoppers will again take advantage of the tax relief provided by the 2013 Sales Tax Holiday.”

State Sen. Jim Tracy, who co-sponsored the 2005 law, anticipates another successful year for shoppers, especially parents who are getting students ready to go back to school.

“This sales tax holiday has provided citizens with some sales tax relief, while helping businesses improve sales during a critical time in our economy,” said Senator Tracy. “I am very pleased this initiative is now in its eighth year. I hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity for savings and shop at area businesses to help our local economy as well.”

Please visit the Sales Tax Holiday Web site at www.tntaxholiday.com to learn more about the items exempt from sales tax. The Tennessee Department of Revenue also assists consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@TN.gov, and through its toll-free statewide telephone hotline 800-342-1003. Staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Central Time. (Out-of-state and Nashville-area callers please dial 615-253-0600.)

Examples of exempt items include: Clothing, such as shirts, dresses, pants, coats, gloves and mittens, hats and caps, hosiery, neckties, belts, sneakers, shoes, uniforms whether athletic or non-athletic and scarves; school supplies, such as binders, book bags, calculators, tape, chalk, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, pens, pencils, lunch boxes, notebooks, paper, rulers and scissors; art supplies, such as clay and glazes, acrylic, tempera and oil paints, paintbrushes for artwork, sketch and drawing pads and watercolors; computers, including the central processing unit, along with various other components including monitor, keyboard, mouse, cables to connect components and preloaded software. Please note, while the CPU may be purchased separately, other items must be part of a bundled computer package in order to be eligible.) iPads and other tablet computers are eligible for tax exemption, while smart phones and video game consoles are not.

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